Aielli & Benevento

What we call ‘Sicilian chic’ to make the hearts warm of Sicily’s fashion natives Dolce and Gabbana.  Set on Salina, one the seven Aeolian Islands…you’ve heard of Stromboli and Panarea.Capfaro

Capofaro is an original concept: a boutique resort in a working vineyard with an old lighthouse, whose beam mingles with sparks from distant Stromboli.  A huddle of low white buildings, with cane-shaded terraces, draped armchairs and carpets of purple flowers, looks out past 7 hectares of vineyards and a flaking lighthouse to a deep blue sea. It could be Santorini without the crowds. But this is the Tyrrhenian Sea so, instead of the caldera, you get the distant volcano of Stromboli; behind you loom the lush pyramids of Salina’s mountains.  By day, guests tan by the decked pool, the sea shimmers below, bamboos wave, grapes grow. At night Stromboli throws sparks into the night sky, and the poolside restaurant-bar comes alive with chilled music and beautiful people.

The Eternal City has never been a hub of youth hostels and greasy spoons, but if you aren’t afraid of really making use of that AMEX Black card, consider the Ultimate Anniversary experience offered by Aielli & Benevento.

With this over-the-top 24/7 concierge service, the sophisticated touring couple gets five fabulous nights in Rome, and what an incredible spree it is: a suite with 24 hour butler service at the St. Regis  that would make Italy’s billionaire Berlusconi envious, private ‘after hours’ tours of the St. Peter’s and the Vatican, a Mercedes S Class sedan, driver-guide, and  exceptional Michelin rated dinings at Rome’s award winning restaurants,(La Pergola, Vivendo, and Imago to name a few).

Each day has its own theme: a Fashion Day with a couture fitting at Armani or Dolce Gabbana, an Art Day with a private tour of the Borghese Museo or and after hours tour of the Sistine Chapel, and a Wine Day at three fabulous enotecas.

This touring experience can of course be 100% customized to client’s interests.  All expense included start at  15,000 Euros per person, based on one couple. Touring includes all Five star suite accommodations, breakfast in bed each day, First Class airfare, US airport transfers, private guides, daily masseuse, and personal driver throughout Italy stay.
> Email for details: info@aielli-benevento.it .

According to a recent review in Traveler: “The dramatic drawing room has a black ceiling and walls, white moldings, leopard-print headboards and dusty mauve, shot-silk window treatments.” This the biggest room in Casa Howard at about 50 sqm.  With black walls and ancient Venetian mosaic marble floors, there are 3 big windows looking onto Via della Scala. The ensuite bathroom also has the same mosaic floors and a big shower.  Each Casa Howard Guest house, whether an apartment, palazzo or farmhouse) offers highly personal service.

In Rome there are two Casa Howard guest houses, both near the Spanish Steps: one is located on via Capo le Case , and with only 5 double bedrooms it is a very intimate place to stay; the other Rome Guesthouse is on via Sistina, with luxury rooms designed by Tommaso Ziffer.

Since the success of the film, Aielli & Benevento has offered a fantastic private tour to view the sights and secrets of the best-selling book “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown.   Even with private sedan & driver-guide the duration of this magnum opus tour can be almost 8 hours, but you see much of Rome.  The specific itinerary includes: the Pantheon; the twin churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria; the Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’ Angelo and of course, Saint Peter’s Basilica.

This unique experience allows one to follow in Tom Hanks’ footsteps with a mysterious and winding “treasure-hunt “through Rome!  The plot of book is set in Vatican City and Rome. Angels & Demons pits Langdon (paired with an intelligent and attractive female sidekick, Vittoria Vetra) against a modern incarnation of an ancient foe of the Roman Catholic Church, the Illuminati. In the book, Catholics fill St. Peter’s Square, awaiting the announcement of Il Conclave, the assembly of cardinals charged with selecting a new pope. Little do they know they are sitting atop a time bomb — and that four cardinals in line for the job are being murdered at sites around Rome. The Illuminati’s most hated enemy is the Catholic Church, and they have resurfaced to do away with the Catholic Church once and for all.  Following the Path of Illumination, solving puzzles and enigmas, discover the Altars of Science and decode the secret messages hidden in Bernini sculptures as Landon must. Four Altars of Science, representing the four elements of earth, air, fire and water, and a mysterious text from John Milton are the key clues that, once decoded, will enable you to experience the Path of Illumination step by step. The focal point of this private tourour is the importance of Bernini’s masterpieces, spread throughout Rome’s fantastic churches and monuments.

************Clients can always pick their day of touring.  Just call 212.695.1511 and ask to speak with an Aielli & Benevento travel specialist for a complete list of services/charges. Or email us for touring details at: info@aiellli-benevento.it.

Still not sure you need a travel planner to create the perfect dream trip?

A&B’s travel services will save you at least 25 hours in planning that dream trip.   Do you think you can match our experts’ three decades traveling throughout the Italian Peninsula?

Take this short quiz and test your Italy IQ:

1. Tipping is not as big a deal in Italy as in the USA.  Which of the following service providers will, however, be offended, if you fail to give a gratuity?
A. Hotel porters   B. Taxi drivers C. Restaurant waiters  D.  Tour guides.   E. Bathroom attendants

2.  Which cities can you take the high speed Eurostar train to:
A. Naples   B.  Bologna   C. Siena    D. Bergamo   E. Bari

3.  Which is the only day of the month the Vatican Museums are open free of charge?

4.  Name the only American air carrier that flies ‘direct from a US city to Venice without stops?

5.  Which is by far the best month of the year to visit Tuscany?  How about Sicily?

6.  Which offers the best Euro-Dollar exchange rate?  A. Italian Bancomat ATMs   B. Thomas Cook Traveler Checques   C. American Express
_______________
For the answers: click here.  If you got at least 4 out of 5 right maybe, you could try ‘do-it-yourself’ trip planning but do you really want the headaches and worries on your dream vacation?

Like New York, Milan is a major urban center, arguably Italy’s most important commercial Mecca…where industry, finance and fashion all intersect.  It is no surprise that this very business focused city would sport some outstanding hotels.  For reasons of outstanding service, market pricing and center city locations, here are our four top picks as ‘magnificent in Milano’…

Park Milano Hyatt Address: Via Tommaso Grossi 1.

Best location…bar none. Set in a stately 1870s bank, this hotel fuses Italian elegance with a Zen atmosphere. The 117 luxe guest rooms have marble floors and walls, high ceilings, and minimalist lines accentuated by rich materials, state-of-the-art TVs, and Wi-Fi Web access. Dining at The Park restaurant is Michelin class level: The menu is split into three sections: regional, national, and fusion. The hotel has a spa where guests can enjoy a fitness center. The front door of the hotel is less than 100 metres to the Galleria.

Principe de Savoia Address: Piazza della Repubblica 17.

Dominating the Piazza della Repubblica the Hotel Principe di Savoia is a luxury five-star hotel that has been the natural home for international travelers and cosmopolitan society since the 1920’s. Its imposing neoclassical facade hides one of the world’s most luxuriously appointed hotels. Easily accessed from all parts of the city and close to Milan’s many attractions and elegant shopping districts, the Hotel Principe de Savoia is within 50 minutes of Milan’s main airport, Malpensa. The Hotel has a spa and fitness center.

Bulgari Hotel Address: Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7/b.

The Bulgari is an unmatched luxury venture by Ritz Carlton and the famed Roman jeweler. The hotel itself is a combination of contemporary design and avant-guard details and situated in Milan’s most stylish area- Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, the Scala theatre and the Academy of Brera. There is a 4,000 sqm private garden, next to the Botanical Gardens. The rooms have plasma TVs, WiFI and wall to wall marble bathrooms. A world class Espa is on the premises.

Four Seasons Address: Via Gesù, 6/8.

A dramatically reborn 15th-century convent with a mere 118 rooms and suites, the intimate Four Seasons is steps from Milan’s couture houses and financial district on the exclusive Via Gesù between Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga. Four Seasons Junior Suites offer ample space for work, leisure or entertaining and no two are alike. Located throughout the Hotel, they overlook the Hotel courtyard or Via Gesù.